Laura Opal (Hartley) Francis

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Laura O. Francis was born Jan. 21, 1917, in High Point, (Moniteau County), Mo. She went home to be with her Lord on Jan. 3, 2012. She was the daughter of John and Christena Dampf Hartley. She moved to Sedalia at the age of six and lived there until moving to Kansas City in 1941.

She married Harold Corson Nov. 2, 1935. To their 16-year union two children were born: Shirley and Paul. She married George Francis June 27, 1951, and they celebrated 53 years of marriage prior to his death in 2005. In the 1970s, Laura and George made Milo, Mo., their second home.

Laura is survived by her daughter, Shirley Norwood of Nevada and son, Paul Corson of Columbia; sister, Edna Bell of Kirksville; brother, Bob Hartley and wife, Doris, of Sedalia; sister-in-law, Janice Dodson of Willard; brother-in-law, Bill Smith of Mexico, Mo.; five granddaughters; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; three stepsons; several step-grandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews of whom she thought very highly; and many wonderful friends she loved dearly.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; son-in-law, Jim Norwood; grandson, Kevin Norwood; her brothers, James and John Hartley; and sister, Betty Smith.

Her life was serving her Lord. She was an active volunteer, teaching all ages in her lifetime and was director of many church programs. She served as treasurer for the church and enjoyed her involvement in the choir. Laura has read her Bible, completely, 38 times.

Visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 7, at 10 a.m., with a celebration service beginning at 10:30 a.m., at Life Church in Nevada. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia, Mo., at 2 p.m.